Chapter 157

“Of course it’s true! I swear, I had absolutely no contact with him before this in Long Harbor. You should know that!” Stephanie was desperate. Sebastian’s thorough interrogation was starting to panic her. She didn’t believe for a second he didn't already know she had no previous connection to Jackson.

Seeing her anxiety, Sebastian tightened his grip around her waist. “Don’t you believe me, Sebastian?” she asked.

“I believe you.”

He believed her, of course. But Jackson… A glint of coldness flashed in Sebastian’s eyes as he glanced at the trash can.

Stephanie felt relief at his words. Soon, he released her.

“Why are you here at this hour?” she asked.

“I was just stopping by,” he replied.

Stephanie fell silent. Sebastian was a busy man. Just stopping by? She was certain his subordinates were panicking.

Unknown to Stephanie, Sebastian had learned about Catlin fainting and being taken away, and Tyler’s arrival. He knew the Hart family had never truly accepted Stephanie; they were the kind of people who might even try to kill her for Catlin's sake.

That afternoon, Sebastian remained in Stephanie’s office while she attended two meetings. Everyone in the studio was respectful. When she returned, she was met with his deep gaze. The confidence she'd exuded vanished instantly. Nervously clasping her hands, she stepped forward. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

He pulled her onto his lap. Stunned, Stephanie’s body tensed. She wondered if he’d forgotten she was grown up.

This was not good at all.

He played with her hands. “You are all grown up now,” he said. Seeing her serious demeanor in the meetings had reminded him of her childhood – spoiled, fearless, always the leader among her playmates. Fondness deepened in his eyes as those memories resurfaced.

“Then why are you still holding me like this?” she muttered.

“Hmm? Don’t you like it?”

His question made her glance at him uncertainly. Could she say she liked it? Would he hold her like this forever if she admitted it?

Seeing her hesitation, he squeezed her hand. “Don’t you like it?”

She was speechless. This was too much.

“Can I say I like it?” she asked, avoiding his gaze. What kind of “like” was it? She’d always felt her feelings for Sebastian weren’t entirely pure. Sibling affection and romantic love were different things. The word “romantic” frightened her; she didn’t dare test his feelings. If his affection was purely familial, breaking that boundary would be disastrous.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice his softening at her “like.” He chuckled softly, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. “I had the kitchen prepare spicy food for dinner.”

At the mention of spicy food, Stephanie perked up. “Really?”

“Of course.”

Before Sebastian’s arrival, she and Ella had eaten spicy food at least once a week. But he’d forbidden it. His relenting overwhelmed her; she hugged him, nearly kissing him in her excitement.